Final cost of special election: $750,000

September 11, 2010

The special state Senate elections from last June and August will end up costing San Luis Obispo County $750,000. [Tribune]

County Clerk-Recorder Julie Rodewald says the cost of the election to replace Abel Maldonado does not include the four other counties in the 15th State Senate District and that the overall price tag is expected to be in the millions of dollars.

Rodewald, who will make a final report to the county Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, says she was able to save about $250,000 in costs by cutting back on polling places and precinct workers.

The back-to-back summer elections, caused by the elevation of Maldonado to Lt. Governor, resulted in Republican Sam Blakeslee defeating John Laird and two other candidates.

Blakeslee has introduced two bills to get the money back from the state. However, his office says, reimbursement legislation has been stalled by Democratic leaders in budget deliberations, “when, as you know, hostages are taken and used as leverage to extract concessions.”

Laird had wanted the special election to coincide with the Nov. 2 general election in order to save money. Democrats have accused Blakeslee of favoring the midsummer election because it would suppress voter turnout and give him a better chance to win.